HURIWA Defends Cardinal Onaiyekan Against Presidential Aides

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has come to the defense of Cardinal Onaiyekan following criticisms from two aides of President Tinubu, Mr. Daniel Bwala and Temitope Ajayi.

Bwala, serving as Special Adviser on communications, claimed that Cardinal Onaiyekan only represented Catholics in his remarks after the bishops' visit to the president. Ajayi, a Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, accused Onaiyekan of misusing his clerical privilege during the meeting with the president.

HURIWA, through its National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, criticized the aides for their disrespect towards Onaiyekan, describing him as a respected elder and patriot. The organization argued that Onaiyekan's interview was in the public interest, representing the concerns of over 130 million households facing poverty in Nigeria.

HURIWA dismissed the aides' comments as amateurish and lacking understanding of Nigeria's political history, asserting that Onaiyekan has a long-standing reputation for speaking truth to power.